The Kirkus Prize is one of the richest literary awards in the world, with a prize of $50,000 bestowed annually to authors of fiction, nonfiction and young readers’ literature. It was created to celebrate the 81 years of discerning, thoughtful criticism Kirkus Reviews has contributed to both the publishing industry and readers at large. Books that earned the Kirkus Star with publication dates between November 1, 2014, and October 31, 2015 (see FAQ for exceptions), are automatically nominated for the 2015 Kirkus Prize, and the winners will be selected on October 15, 2015, by an esteemed panel composed of nationally respected writers and highly regarded booksellers, librarians and Kirkus critics.

KIRKUS REVIEW

This might be sold as non-fiction as we are told it is autobiographical. But it is written as a story and would sell better that way, I think. One of the most delightful books of the year -- a vivid, lovable story of one year in a small girl's life, when her parents' trip to Italy and her own "boarding out" with the freedom of the city on roller skates -- gave her a chance to be a real person rather than a bandboxed child. Into that year she manages to crowd all sorts of interesting contacts with people she might never have known, and joys and sorrows come thick and fast. An interesting picture of New York 40 odd years ago.

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